This week is moving fast. There is stress in the workplace, stress at home. I am weary in my evenings where the news headlines are terror attacks in Brussels, and candidates for president that believe they are our SALVATION. They will save the nation from it's pending doom, and stop 'just' short of claiming a vote for them will save our souls.

The Bad News: There has been and always will be wars, hatred, racsim, terrorist attacks, greed and corruption at all levels until Jesus comes again. This is the sad condition of a sinful world in need of GREAT revival.

The Good News: Jesus came to this world over 2000 years ago to fullfill God's Plan for Salvation. He lived and taught truth (AND there is only one truth), and then died for our sins.

So thank you very much, but while this presidential election is very important.. I DO NOT NEED Donald Trump, Ted Cruz, John Kasich, Bernie Sanders, or Hillary Clinton to SAVE ME.

Today instead I prayerfully will be remembering the great story of love for mankind that is Jesus Christ. His life, his death and ressurection fullfill God's story of love for me and you.

My good friend Bryan Anderson is a Biology professor at Bethel University. He is a smart guy from my home town of Cable Wisconsin population 280ish. Bryan lives the good life with his family here in the Twin Cities faithful to God, family, and friends.

Like I said Bryan is a very good friend, and we meet for lunch often, and when we meet he will share with me his secrets for a happy life. I have summed up these secrets in what I would call The Four Principles of Bryan for a happy life.

​Cell Phones are from the Devil - Bryan resisted for the first 57 years having his own a cell phone. He only recently purchased one at the insistance of his very wise wife Laura. I guess putting a little bell on him was not an effective once he wandered outside their house. Now Laura can contact her hubby in case of emergency.. or to pick up some bread and eggs on the way home like the rest of us.

Emails are electronic clutter - Bryan is a college professor who hates email. He brags to me on how many emails have stacked up in his inbox that are unread. I believe he prefers carrier pidgeon, or Pony Express.

Thou shalt NOT wear a seat belt. I know, I know.. being labeled a smart guy now comes into serious question. No one knows why Bryan won't wear a seat belt, but when I get to Heaven some day I will ask God. I believe God will answer with a Holy Smirk.. "That's what happens when ya give 'free will' to a country boy."and finally..

There are simply too many signs - Bryan is very bothered by our modern world and the overuse of SIGNS. Signs are here, signs are there, there are signs everywhere about everything. Simply put Bryan believes common sense should be our guide instead those signs that inform us of the obvious. Those needing signs for the obvious would be simply eliminated by the natural order of selection.

After all Bryan is a Biology professor, a man of science,.. he knows.. STUFF

While I cheerfully own a cell phone, read my email, and wear a seat belt.. I do believe Bryan is on to something regarding this sign happy world.

Also Bryan reinforces his sign concerns by quoting Jesus in ​Matthew 16:4 A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a sign, but none will be given it.. Of course that is not exactly what Jesus was talking about in Mat 16:4, but this still is more relevant then if he quoted from let's say.. TWO Corinthians.

So there you have The Four Principles of Bryan for a world looking for a.. a.. ahem a sign?

The teachings especially in the New Testament are full of figures of speech that if taken literally would be reason for a great deal of angst in our lives. Here are just a few.

You must be born again?

Washed in the Blood?

If your eye causes you to sin.. pluck it out?

Turn the other cheek?

Put on the full armor of God?

Finally my favorite 'figure of speech' is not even from the Bible.. it is from my wife. The dreaded 'Fine, Whatever' combination uttered by my wife Mary is a true riddle wrapped in an enigma. Be afraid, be very afraid.

May God bless your day with clarity, with purpose, and nary a FINE, WHATEVER mentioned to you husbands.

​flannel shirts were often worn (with ties) by the ushers at our little church.

Where wearing orange during hunting season was more prevelant than seen in the Rajneesh cult in Oregon in the 1980s.

Where in the church parking lot in November you could likely find at least one pickup truck with a bible on the front seat, a hunting rifle on the back seat, and a deer draped over the hood.

Where duct tape was an effective sermon illustration.

While I may not be from the South, my rural Wisconsin upbringing demonstartes my first hand knowledge of the redneck's glorious absence of sophistication.

​With this in mind let me share a small tribute to my redneck faith.The worship, the smiling faces all tell you if you are KIN (you know Jesus) you are IN. It is all one big family of God reunion with a potluck macaroni buffet to boot.

May God bless each you with redneck roots and you city folk too. May he bless you REAL GOOD.

Growing up in very rural Cable Wisconsin population 280ish there was wildlife a plenty. My parents house was set on a 1 acre wooded lot of land surrounded by trees and not a neighbor in sight. It was a beautiful, serene, setting frequented by wildlife.

Mostly deer came to visit, but I remember a couple occasions where a black bear decided to stop by. While I am not sure a wild bear deciding to 'homestead' on our property fits the true definition of serene, still it was another example of wildlife as an intergral part of our rural Wisconsin decor.

So with these fond memories in mind let me feature a few Wild for Jesus characters inspired by the great Northwoods.

May God bless each of you with serenity, and a sense of wonder in all of God's creation.. except mosquitoes. :)

No these words are not part of a new FDA report but actually were words offered to me by a pastor in response to a caffeine headache. The man of God told me his wife has a sign in the kitchen that reads, “Coffee is not a drug; it’s a vitamin!” .

So woe unto you that would argue with God's chosen one! A man of the cloth! A shepherd to the flock, and possible coffee addict!

Besides the 'irrefutable' health benefit noted above I would like to share my rationale for the 'use' of coffee.

Coffee before church reduces peaceful prayer momentsduring sermons by 33%and note snoring is NOT a prayer language.

A 45 second nap and a less than subtle snort at the annual business meeting will be noted, and will show up on your next performance review

Eating DONUTS is just not the same without this mysterious dark brew.

So in honor of these practical and one Godly endorsement I would like to thank God for COFFEE. The approved VITAMIN/ ENERGY ELIXER for a sleepy America! May God bless each of your lives. May your coffee cups overflow (figure of speech), and your breakfast banquet table include a nice variety scones, bear claws, donuts, apple fritters, cheese danishes, and bismarks.

Amen and Amen!

​Jeff (caffinated in the Back Pew) Larson

note: Tomorrow I will share my theory that donuts are simply a contemporary version of manna.

I was praying 'anxiously' the other day. Of course praying anxiously is an oxymoron bigger than a skinny baptist preacher.. BUT God reminded me I am called to be FAITHFUL in the MOMENTS that make up my day. I am not called to be FAITHFUL for just a MOMENT in my day.

I guess this is obvious to everyone else, BUT for me it was an epiphany.. and my calling.

I should not longer worry about being recognized as the Farside of Christian cartoonists (in my dreams).. but instead focus on being Faithful in Word and Deed in what every day presents to me. Faithful when...

It seems so simple, but somehow turns out I often make my faith journey complicated.​May the Lord find me and all His people faithful in words and deeds and attitudes for every nook and cranny of my day. ​